Allegation of Research Misconduct

Fair, confidential, transparent, and evidence-based procedures for allegations concerning scholarly integrity.

Jurnal Harkat: Media Komunikasi Gender, published by PSGA, LP2M UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, is committed to ensuring the integrity, authenticity, originality, and reliability of research appearing in its publications.

The journal recognizes its responsibility to assess credible allegations involving submitted manuscripts or published articles. These concerns may arise during editorial screening, peer review, production, or after publication.

The procedures are informed by the journal's Publication Ethics and relevant COPE guidance. The journal's role in examining publication concerns is distinguished from the formal investigative responsibilities of research institutions.

An allegation does not establish wrongdoing. The journal distinguishes deliberate misconduct, questionable research practices, methodological limitations, and honest errors. All parties should be treated fairly, and editorial actions must be proportionate to the available evidence.

Research misconduct refers to serious violations of accepted research-integrity standards compromising the authenticity, originality, ethics, or reliability of scholarly work.

Authors, reviewers, editors, readers, institutions, research participants, and other persons with credible concerns may submit allegations in writing to the Editorial Office.

A report should provide:

• The relevant manuscript title, submission ID, or published article citation and DOI.
• A clear description of the suspected misconduct.
• Supporting evidence, relevant source materials, or documentation.
• Contact information of the reporting party, where appropriate.
• Any urgent confidentiality or participant-safety considerations.

The journal may assess anonymous reports if sufficiently specific and supported by credible evidence. Speculation or unsupported accusations do not establish misconduct.

The Editor-in-Chief or an authorized editorial representative conducts an initial assessment to determine whether the allegation is relevant, credible, and sufficiently supported.

The assessment considers the journal's responsibilities, the seriousness of the alleged conduct, potential effects on publication reliability, applicable confidentiality issues, and whether further editorial or institutional examination is warranted.

Where appropriate, the journal may request clarification, additional evidence, or immediate protective measures before deciding whether to proceed.

1. Evaluate the Evidence: Examine supporting sources, research materials, and relevant editorial records.
2. Seek Author Clarification: Give relevant authors appropriate opportunity to explain the matter.
3. Obtain Independent Assessment: Consult qualified specialists where necessary.
4. Manage Conflicts: Exclude individuals whose interests may compromise impartiality.
5. Determine Publication Implications: Assess whether the concern affects validity, originality, ethics, or reliability.
6. Document the Outcome: Record the editorial rationale and required action.

The journal and research institutions have complementary responsibilities. Institutions are generally responsible for formal investigations into researcher conduct and applicable institutional sanctions.

The journal may contact the relevant institution when allegations require access to original records, ethics documentation, participant data, or other evidence beyond the journal's editorial authority.

Institutional findings may inform publication decisions, but the journal retains responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record.

When credible allegations arise during submission, peer review, or production, the Editorial Team may suspend processing while the issue is examined.

• Request supporting documentation or explanation from authors.
• Seek independent expert assessment.
• Request revision or correction where appropriate.
• Reject a manuscript when serious misconduct or unreliability is substantiated.
• Refer matters requiring formal investigation to relevant institutions.
• Preserve necessary records and safeguard confidential information.

When allegations concern a published article, the journal evaluates whether the problem materially affects the research's originality, ethics, accuracy, or reliability.

Allegations involving children, survivors of gender-based violence, vulnerable individuals, or sensitive family information require particular ethical attention.

The Editorial Team should avoid unnecessary disclosure of confidential records, identifying information, or details that may expose participants to harm.

The safety and dignity of affected participants must be considered in collecting evidence, consulting institutions, and publishing editorial notices.

• Handle allegations confidentially and limit access to authorized persons.
• Protect good-faith reporters against inappropriate retaliation.
• Provide fair opportunities for parties to respond.
• Avoid public accusations before concerns have been appropriately assessed.
• Manage actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Apply editorial measures based on evidence and proportionality.
• Protect sensitive participant and institutional information.

Appropriate records should be maintained of allegations, correspondence, evidence, editorial assessments, institutional referrals, decisions, and corrective actions.

Confidential records must be restricted to authorized persons and managed according to institutional and legal requirements.

The journal may review its procedures as publication-ethics expectations and research-integrity practices develop.

Jurnal Harkat seeks to respond to credible concerns consistently and fairly, protect the rights of all involved parties, and preserve confidence in published scholarship.